A bill quickly moving through the Virginia state legislature would outlaw any dog transactions in a public meeting place, such as a park or a commercial parking lot.
The bill, Senate Bill 1001, would criminalize honest hunting dog breeders and sportsmen for simply agreeing to meet at a halfway point to transfer a hunting dog or puppy. In an effort to crack down on a few bad actors, this legislation will instead severely burden the honest sporting dog enthusiast from being able to conduct routine meetings at convenient locations to simply transfer or receive a dog from another person!
“There is nothing nefarious or criminal about two people exchanging a prized hunting dog at a store parking lot or public park that might be a convenient meeting location,” said Adam Wright, associate director of state services for U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, and an avid dog enthusiast who runs beagles. “Especially when travelling to and from field trials or competition events, sportsmen meet up with others on a frequent basis and may exchange a pup from a new litter or an experienced champion dog. We fail to see the harm in that.”
The bill is currently pending in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. It will have its first hearing in the Agriculture Sub-Committee on Monday, Feb. 9.
All sportsmen and dog enthusiasts should contact the following members of the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee today in opposition to this proposal. Ask them to oppose SB 1001 and stand up for honest sportsmen and dog owners across the state.
House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee
Del. Ed Scott (R-Culpeper) Chair of the Full Committee
[email protected]
804-698-1030
Del. Danny Marshall (R-Danville) Chair of the Agriculture Sub-Committee
[email protected]
434-797-5861
Del. Mark Keam (D-Vienna)
[email protected]
703-350-7377
Del. Barry Knight (R-Virginia Beach)
[email protected]
757-426-6387
Del. Matthew James (D-Portsmouth)
[email protected]
804-698-1080
Del. Charles Poindexter (R-Glade Hill)
[email protected]
540-576-2600